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Abstract:

The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit for holding a
plurality of discrete items, including a signal emitting mechanism
associated with each of the plurality of discrete items, an enclosed
housing having at least one receptacle accessible by a user and having at
least one of the plurality of items contained therein, a passive signal
receiving mechanism in communication with the receptacle for receiving
signals emanating from the signal emitting mechanism and a securement
system configured to prevent unauthorized access to the dynamic control
containment unit. A controller is in communication with the signal
receiving mechanism and initiates actions based upon the signal content.

Claims:

1-20. (canceled)

21. A system for managing an inventory of items, comprising: a
containment unit comprising at least one inner area and at least one
drawer or door providing access to the at least one inner area, the at
least one inner area adapted to store a plurality of items, each item of
the plurality of items comprising a tag or label having item data stored
thereon; at least one locking mechanism adapted to lock and unlock the at
least one drawer or door; at least one sensor adapted to detect a
movement of the at least one drawer or door to an at least partially
closed position from an at least partially open position; at least one
antenna adapted to receive the item data; a control device in
communication with the at least one antenna, the at least one sensor, and
an inventory database comprising an item inventory of items stored in the
at least one inner area of the containment unit, the control device
programmed or configured to: (i) unlock, with the at least one locking
mechanism, the at least one drawer or door in response to at least one of
the following: receiving a request from an individual to access the
containment unit, authorizing an individual requesting access to the
containment unit, or any combination thereof; (ii) determine an updated
item inventory of the containment unit or a portion of the containment
unit based on data received from the at least one antenna, the
determination made in response to at least one of the following:
receiving at least one signal from the at least one sensor indicating
that the at least one drawer or door is moved to an at least partially
closed position from an at least partially open position, a set interval
elapsing after receiving the at least one signal from the at least one
sensor, or any combination thereof; (iii) determine at least one item
removed or added by the individual by comparing the updated item
inventory to a previous item inventory; and (iv) associate the individual
with the at least one item in the inventory database or a separate
database.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one antenna comprises an
RF receiver, and the tag or label for each item comprises at least one RF
transponder, wherein determining the updated item inventory further
comprises scanning a plurality of RF transponders with the RF receiver.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a display device in
communication with at least one of the control device and the inventory
database, wherein the display device displays at least one graphical
and/or textual display comprising at least one of the following: a use
history, an item history, a use history of the individual, a containment
unit inventory, a receptacle or drawer inventory, or any combination
thereof.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the control device comprises at least
an operation mode and an administration mode, wherein each of the
operation mode and the administration mode are associated with program
logic associating conditions to actions performed by the control device
in response to the conditions.

25. The system of claim 21, further comprising a proximity sensor
configured to detect proximity of a person, wherein the control device
locks and/or closes the at least one drawer or door based at least
partially on data received from the proximity sensor.

26. The system of claim 21, further comprising an automatic closing
device, wherein the control device closes the at least one drawer or door
with the automatic closing device after determining that the at least one
drawer or door has been left at least partially open for a predetermined
period of time.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the control device determines an
updated new inventory by scanning items within the containment unit with
at least one antenna after the at least one drawer or door is closed and
idle for a set interval.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the control device is further
programmed or configured to: determine an item inventory for at least one
item in the containment unit or a portion of the containment unit based
on scanning the plurality of items; and upon a determination that the
item inventory is less than or equal to a predetermined value, transmit a
message to a remote computer.

29. A hospital containment unit for managing and tracking an inventory of
a plurality of medical items in a hospital environment, each medical item
of the plurality of medical items associated with data stored on at least
one signal emitting mechanism fixed or attached to the medical item,
comprising: a cabinet adapted to be opened and closed; a sensor adapted
to detect the cabinet being closed; at least one locking mechanism
adapted to lock and unlock the cabinet; at least one signal receiving
mechanism configured to receive item data from a plurality of signal
emitting mechanisms fixed or attached to the plurality of medical items
inside the cabinet; at least one controller programmed to: unlock the at
least one locking mechanism after authenticating or authorizing an
individual; receive a signal from the sensor indicating that the cabinet
has been closed; determine an updated item inventory after the signal is
received from the sensor; compare a previous item inventory to the
updated item inventory to identify at least one item removed or added to
the cabinet; and update data stored in a hospital database based on an
identification of the individual and the at least one item identified.

30. The hospital containment unit of claim 29, wherein the cabinet
comprises a plurality of regions, and wherein the at least one signal
receiving mechanism is configured to receive item data from a plurality
of signal emitting mechanisms fixed or attached to medical items in at
least one specified region of the plurality of regions.

31. The hospital containment unit of claim 29, further comprising a
proximity sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the
controller is programmed to lock the cabinet based at least partially on
proximity data received from the proximity sensor.

32. The hospital containment unit of claim 29, wherein the controller
comprises at least an operation mode and an administrative mode, each of
the modes comprising conditional logic, wherein at least one condition is
associated with a first action in the operation mode and with a second
action in the administrative mode.

33. The hospital containment unit of claim 29, further comprising a
display device in communication with the controller, the display device
configured to display at least one of the following: a use history, an
item history, a user history, a shelf inventory, a cabinet inventory, an
item inventory, or any combination thereof.

34. A method for managing an inventory of items in a containment unit,
comprising: detecting access information for an individual; determining,
with at least one controller, if the individual is authorized to access
the containment unit based at least partially on at least a portion of
the access information; unlocking, with at least one controller, at least
part of the containment unit in response to determining that the
individual is authorized; detecting, with at least one sensor, that the
containment unit is placed in a closed position after being at least
partially open; determining, with at least one controller, a new
inventory of the containment unit by scanning items within the
containment unit with at least one device; identifying at least one item
removed from the containment unit or added to the containment unit by
comparing the inventory to the new inventory; and associating, in a
database, the individual with the at least one item.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: detecting proximity of
the individual to the containment unit; and locking the containment unit
after a predetermined period of time has elapsed and the individual is
not detected to be proximate to the containment unit.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising: detecting proximity of
the individual to the containment unit; and signaling an alarm when the
containment unit is open for a predetermined period of time and the
individual is not detected to be proximate to the containment unit.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising displaying, on at least
one display mechanism, at least one graphical and/or textual display
comprising at least one of the following: a use history, an item history,
a use history of the individual, a containment unit inventory, a
receptable or drawer inventory, or any combination thereof.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising closing the containment
unit with an automatic closing device after it is left at least partially
open for a predetermined period of time.

39. The method of claim 34, further comprising determining an updated new
inventory by scanning items within the containment unit with the at least
one device after the containment unit is closed and idle for a set
interval.

40. The method of claim 34, further comprising: determining an item
inventory for at least one item in the containment unit or a portion of
the containment unit based on the scanning; and based upon a
determination that the item inventory is less than or equal to a
predetermined value, transmitting a message to a remote computer.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/158,827, filed Jun. 13, 2011, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/240,022, filed Sep.
29, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/209,348, filed Jul. 31, 2002 (now abandoned), which claims the benefit
of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/344,920,
filed Dec. 21, 2001, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to control containment
systems and apparatus, containing multiple and discrete items and, in
particular, to a radio frequency identification system for securely
tracking items.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] In many industrial and service applications, multiple items must be
tracked for a variety of reasons. For example, these items may be tracked
so that the user knows when additional items should be obtained or
ordered, who is using the items and for what purpose, and for expensive
items, a secure tracking system is required. Whether for security
purposes or inventory purposes, an identification system must be
developed in order to accurately track and manage a large amount of
items, typically discrete and small items.

[0006] Health care delivery institutions, like hospitals, have a large
amount of inventory to control throughout their system. Thousands of
items move in and out of supply and operating rooms every day, and the
system administrators must be sure to know exactly what items are being
used, when they are being used, who is using them, and how often. At all
times, items must be accounted for, and must be fully stocked.

[0007] Currently, most hospitals maintain and control their inventory
manually by recording it on paper. Items are often ordered on an
as-needed basis, as the inventory becomes low. The hospital's materials
management department usually must go through the various peripheral
supply rooms at the hospital, visually taking note and recording on paper
the inventory status of supplies. A purchase order is then sent to the
hospital's distributors, requesting more of an item that is low in
supply. When the ordered items are received at the hospital's central
supply, a materials management person must manually go through and
compare every item received versus the packing list. Next, the peripheral
supply rooms are restocked with the ordered items from the central supply
room.

[0008] When an item is used during an operation, the nurse or clinician
usually removes it from the central or peripheral supply room and records
its use on paper. Typically, there is little accountability as to what
has been taken, who took it, and how many they took. The current method
of maintaining and controlling inventory is both labor intensive and
imprecise. In many instances, a nurse must manually record every item
that is being used. The information is only as accurate as to what has
been recorded. During busy times, the information garnered is inaccurate
or the entire process is sometimes skipped.

[0009] In order to effectively track items, supply cabinets have been
developed, which provide inventory, accountability, and security of
supplies, e.g., medical supplies. The prior art cabinets utilize manual
input systems. To gain access to a cabinet, the user must keypunch on a
keyboard their access information, such as a PIN number. A door to the
cabinet is unlocked once the internal computer accepts the access
information. The supply items are separated into bins by type, and as a
user takes out an item, they must also push a button, indicating that
they have taken out that item. This action of manual input causes the
system to decrement the item from inventory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dynamic
control containment unit for holding a plurality of discrete items, which
overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of the
present invention to provide a control containment unit that is capable
of securely tracking multiple items, which are added to and removed from
the unit from various dynamic, non-predetermined locations. It is yet
another object of the present invention to provide a control containment
unit that is capable of accurately inventorying its entire contents, as
well as the contents of any individual receptacle.

[0011] The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit for
holding a plurality of discrete items, and includes a signal emitting
mechanism associated with each of the plurality of discrete items. An
enclosed housing, having at least one receptacle accessible by a user, is
included, and each receptacle has a plurality of items contained therein.
A passive signal receiving mechanism is in communication with the
receptacle and receives signals emitted from the signal emitting
mechanism. A controller is in communication with the signal receiver
mechanism and is able to initiate actions based upon the signal content.
The control containment unit also includes a securement system for
preventing access to the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle
is a drawer, which is slidable with respect to the housing, such that the
receptacle may be slid open, thereby providing access to the items
contained in the receptacle. The controller is used to track and manage
the inventory contained in the unit. In another preferred embodiment, the
receptacle is a shelf, which is recessed within the control containment
unit and covered by a door.

[0012] The present invention, both as to its construction and its method
of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages
thereof, will best be understood from the following description of
exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a dynamic
control containment unit according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of a
dynamic control containment unit according to the present invention;

[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B are a logic table beginning on FIG. 3A with columns
continuing on FIG. 3B illustrating a preferred logic sequence used in
operating the dynamic control containment unit of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B are an input/output data table beginning on FIG. 4A
with columns continuing on FIG. 4B associated with a controller in the
dynamic control containment unit of FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment of a
dynamic control containment unit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit 10 for
holding multiple, discrete items 12 and is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Each of the items 12 has a signal emitting mechanism 14 associated with
it. The control containment unit includes a housing 16 having multiple
receptacles 18, which are accessible to a user. The items 12 and their
associated signal emitting mechanisms 14 are contained in the receptacle
18. The control containment unit is dynamic, in that the items 12 can be
placed in any position in any receptacle 18. Therefore, the items 12 do
not have to be placed in predetermined locations or receptacles 18, such
as assigned bins or the like.

[0019] A passive signal receiving mechanism 20 is in communication with
the receptacles 18 and receives signals 22 emanating from the signal
emitting mechanisms 14. A controller 24 is in communication with the
signal receiving mechanism 20 and is able to initiate various actions
based upon the content of the signals 22 received by the signal receiving
mechanism 20. The receptacle 18 could be a drawer, a shelf, a box, a
container, etc. Further, the items 12 could be objects, supplies, assets,
instruments, etc.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 18 is a drawer 26. This
drawer 26 is slidable with respect to the housing 16, such that it may be
slid open and provide access to the items 12 contained therein. In this
preferred embodiment, the signal emitting mechanisms 14 are radio
frequency identification (RF/ID) transponders 28. Each of these RF/ID
transponders 28 are attached to or associated with an individual item 12.
Further, each of these RF/ID transponders 28 emit a signal 22, which is
unique to the item 12 to which the RF/ID transponder 28 is attached to or
associated with. After the RF/ID transponder 28 has been attached or
associated with the item 12, it is placed in the receptacle 18 or drawer
26. While the preferred embodiment illustrates three item-containing
drawers, any number of drawers 26 may be utilized, and the number of
drawers 26 would not effect the functionality of the control containment
unit 10.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the signal
receiving mechanism 20 is an antenna 30, which is capable of receiving
the radio frequency signals 22 emanating from the RF/ID transponders 28.
While a single antenna 30 may be placed underneath the drawer 26, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, two antennas 30 are
used, one antenna 30 immediately above the drawer 26, and one antenna 30
immediately below the drawer 26. This allows for greater accuracy in
receiving the signals 22 from the signal emitting mechanisms 14 or RF/ID
transponders 28. When the drawer 26 is in the closed position, the items
12 (and subsequently the RF/ID transponders 28) are positioned in the
control containment unit 10, such that they are located in the antenna 30
field. The RF/ID transponders 28 are energized by the antenna field and
emit a radio frequency signal 22 corresponding to its unique
identification, typically an identification number. The signals 22 are
picked up by the antenna 30 and communicated to the controller 24. While
the signals 22 emanating from the signal emitting mechanisms 20 typically
have a characteristic unique to a specific item 12, it is also envisioned
that the signal emitting mechanisms 20 may emit signals 22 unique to a
group, set, or other association of multiple items 12. In addition, in
this preferred embodiment, the two antennas 30 are positioned, such that
they are dedicated to receiving signals 22 emanating from an assigned
receptacle 18 or drawer 26. This arrangement allows the signal receiving
mechanism 20 to passively receive the signals 22, as opposed to
necessitating the specific movement of an item 12 across a stationary
reading device.

[0022] The controller 24 is in communication with a tuning mechanism 32.
This tuning mechanism 32 is used to set a frequency parameter of the
signal receiving method 20 or antenna 30. The receptacle 18 or drawer 26
could also have an associated indicator light (not shown), possibly on
its outside surface, to indicate exactly which receptacle 18 the user has
access to.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment the controller 24 includes a
multiplexor mechanism 34, which is in communication with the signal
receiving mechanism 20 or antenna 30 and provides an output signal
corresponding to the signal 22 received by the signal receiving mechanism
20. The multiplexor mechanism 34 is also in communication with a signal
reader mechanism 36. This signal reader mechanism provides an output
signal corresponding to the signal received by the multiplexor mechanism
34.

[0024] An input/output mechanism 38 is in communication with the
multiplexor mechanism 34 and/or the signal reader mechanism 36 and
translates output signals into digital output signals. A central control
device 40 is in communication with the input/output mechanism 38 and
receives, processes, and transmits signals, as well as initiates actions,
based upon the digital output signals received from the input/output
mechanism 38.

[0025] The signals 22 received by the antennas 30 are sent through the
multiplexor mechanism 34 to the signal reader mechanism 36, which is an
internally-located RF/ID reader. The multiplexor mechanism 34 collects
signals from more than one antenna 30 and communicates with a single
signal reader mechanism 36. In addition, the multiplexor mechanism 34
allows each antenna 30 to be uniquely addressable and subsequently
individually control by the controller 24. The signal reader mechanism 36
decodes the signal, and communicates this decoded signal to the central
control device 40 via the input/output mechanism 38. Next, the central
control device 40 identifies the signals 22, associates the signals 22
with the correct items 12 and logs the identification of the items 12
into an inventory database, maintained on the central control device 40.

[0026] The controller 24 also includes a power control module 42, which is
in communication with the input/output mechanism 38. This power control
module 42 provides specified power outputs at specified power levels to
the various components of the controller 24. Further, the power control
module 42 may be operated or activated by a single power switch 44.
Therefore, a user need only operate a single power switch 44 to power all
the various components of the controller 24 and the control containment
unit 10. The control containment unit 10 may also include a backup power
module 46 in communication with the input/output mechanism 38 in order to
supply power in the event of an electronic power failure.

[0027] The central control device 40 may be a programmable microchip, a
microcontroller, a personal computer, a hand-held computer, a terminal, a
network computing device, etc. When used in a network relationship, the
central control device 40 communicates with a network 48, which would
allow a user or system administrator to administrate, control and manage
multiple control containment units 10 throughout a building.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the control containment unit 10
includes a switch mechanism 50, which is in operable communication with
the receptacle 18 or drawer 26. As a user is opening a particular drawer
26, the switch mechanism 50 moves to an open position, and indicates to
the central control device 40 via the input/output mechanism 38, that it
has been opened. The central control device 40, or software contained
thereon, sends signals to the multiplexor mechanism 34, commanding it to
begin reading input from the antennas 30 associated with the particular
drawer 26 that has been opened. By comparing the inventory of the drawer
26 before and after it was opened, the central control device 40 may
identify items 12 removed from the drawer 26. The control containment
unit 10 includes a display mechanism 52 in communication with the central
control device 40 for providing a visual display to a user. It is
envisioned that various information may be displayed to the user, whether
in graphical or textual format, on the display mechanism 52. For example,
the display mechanism 52 may display an action initiated by the central
control device 40, a use history, an item 12 history, a user history,
user data, item 12 data, inventory data, receptacle 18 or drawer 26 data,
control containment unit 10 data, a receptacle 18 or drawer 26 inventory,
a control containment unit 10 inventory, etc. In a preferred embodiment,
the display mechanism 52 is located on the housing 16 at an area easily
viewable by a user. However, the display mechanism 52 may be a monitor
positioned on or adjacent the control containment unit 10.

[0029] The control containment unit 10 also may include a printer
mechanism 54, which is in communication with the central control device
40, for providing visual printouts corresponding to the information
processed by the central control device 40. For example, any of the
information discussed above in connection with the display mechanism 52
may also be printed out in a physical format by the printer mechanism 54.

[0030] The control containment unit 10 also has an input mechanism 56 in
communication with the central control device 40 and capable of receiving
user input and transmitting user input signals to the central control
device 40. The input mechanism 56 may be a keypad, a touch display, a
personal computing device, a hand-held computing device, a magnetic
reading device, a radio frequency identification reading device, a bar
code reading device, a light pen, a keyboard, a mouse, a terminal, voice
activation/verification, biometric readers, etc. In the preferred
embodiment, the input mechanism 56 is positioned adjacent or near the
display mechanism 52, thereby allowing a user to visually see his or her
input as the input mechanism 56 receives the data. As with the display
mechanism 52, the input mechanism 56 is positioned at a convenient area,
easily accessible by many users. The input mechanism 56 may also be in
communication with an antenna 30, which would allow a user to provide
initial radio frequency identification signals for each item 12 to the
central control device 40.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, each antenna 30, which receives the
radio frequency signals 22 emanating from the signal emitting mechanism
20 or the RF/ID transponders 28 is positioned adjacent the drawer 26 by a
central panel element 58. As seen in FIG. 2, the antenna 30 is rested
upon the central panel element 58 when used in connection with the bottom
antenna 30, and is attached to the central panel element 58 when used in
connection with the top antenna 30. On a side opposite the antenna 30 of
the central panel element 58, a shielding element 60 is attached. The
shielding element 60 prevents signals from passing therethrough. This
prevents items 12 in other drawers 26 located above or below the object
drawer 26 from being read during the reading process. This will prevent
confusion by the central control device 40 and isolation of each
individual drawer 26. Not only may each drawer 26 have shielding element
60 associated with it, the control containment unit 10, and specifically
the housing 16, may also include a shielding element 60. This would
ensure that signals emanating from all of the drawers 26 would not pass
through the housing 16 of the control containment unit 10.

[0032] The control containment unit 10 includes a lock mechanism 62,
associated with each drawer 26. These lock mechanisms 62 are in
communication with the central control device 40 via the input/output
mechanism 38 and serve to prevent access to the drawer 26 based upon
action signals sent by central control device 40. In the preferred
embodiment, the lock mechanism 62 are magnetic locks 64, which based upon
signals received from the central control device 40, may activate and
attract a portion of the drawer 26. This would prevent the drawer 26 from
sliding and providing access to an unauthorized user. It is this lock
mechanism 62, together with the user authorization and control system,
that create a securement system. The securement system, therefore,
prevents any unauthorized access to the control containment unit 10. It
is also envisioned that a physical master key is provided and capable of
allowing authorized access to the control containment unit 10 during a
power outage or other emergency situation.

[0033] The signal emitting mechanism 14, in the form of an RF/ID
transponder 28, may be a tag or label affixed to each item 12. As
discussed above, this tag or label would emit a unique signal
corresponding to the identity of the item 12. In order to provide initial
input to the central control device 40 of the item 12 identity, the input
mechanism 56 may include a recognition signal receiver 66 in
communication with the central control device 40. This recognition signal
receiver 66 may receive initial input signals corresponding to the
identity of the items 12. As seen in FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the
recognition signal receiver 66 is an antenna 30 located on the control
containment unit 10. This antenna 30 would serve two purposes. First,
this antenna 30 increases utility administration. As the RF/ID
transponder 28 is affixed to an item 12, the RF/ID transponder 28 is read
and its unique identification must be associated with that particular
item 12. This will allow the item 12 to be identified later when the
RF/ID transponder 28 is read in the drawers 26.

[0034] The second purpose of this antenna 30 is to allow selective access
to the control containment unit 10 and its drawers 26 as part of the
securement system. Depending upon the configuration of the control
containment unit 10, a user may have an identification badge, also
affixed with an RF/ID tag, which they may wave over the antenna 30, the
recognition signal receiver 66 and/or the input mechanism 56. As a unique
identification of the RF/ID tag is read, the central control device 40
identifies the tag user with a list of those who have access to the
control containment unit 10 or the specific drawer 26. If there is a
match, the central control device 40 sends a signal to the lock mechanism
62 via the input/output mechanism 38 in a relay to unlock all of the
drawers 26 or a specific drawer 26.

[0035] All of the display mechanism 52, input mechanism 56, central
control device 40, input/output mechanism 38, signal reader mechanism 36,
multiplexor mechanism 34 and power control module 42 are housed within
the control containment unit 10 and, in a preferred embodiment, in a top
slidable drawer 26. This would allow a user access to the components for
programming, repair and maintenance.

[0036] The control containment unit 10 may also include an associated
personal computing device 68 associated with the central control device
40 or in place of the central control device 40. In addition, the
personal computing device 68 may have a personal computing device input
mechanism 70 for providing data input into the personal computing device
68. This personal computing device 68 would allow a user or administrator
to interact with software on the personal computing device 68 for
controlling the control containment unit 10 or directly with the central
control device 40 in the drawer 26 of the control containment unit 10.
Further, this personal computing device 68 may have functionality, such
that it can program, modify, maintain and otherwise control the central
control device 40 in the control containment unit 10. Further, in order
to provide easy movement of a specific control containment unit 10 to a
different area in a building, the control containment unit 10 may have
wheels 72 attached to the housing 16 for easy movement.

[0037] FIG. 3 details a logic table and sequences for different
conditions, together with what is transmitted and written through the
input/output mechanism 38 and read from the input/output mechanism 38.
FIG. 4 is in input/output data table for describing the conditions and
what input data and output data are provided in communications in the
controller 24.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the
control containment unit 10 and, in particular, the housing 16, may take
the form of a cabinet with multiple access points. In this embodiment,
the receptacle 18 is a shelf and, as described above, each shelf would
have one or more antennas 30 for receiving signals 22 from the signal
emitting mechanisms 14 attached to the items 12. However, as the
receptacles 18 are not drawers, as in the previous embodiment, a door 74
or other cover is used to prevent and/or control access to the
receptacles 18. It is envisioned that the door would have a handle 76 to
allow a user to open the door 74.

[0039] As seen in FIG. 5, the control containment unit 10 has multiple
doors 74, with each door 74 covering multiple receptacles 18 in the form
of shelving. Upon accessing or opening a door 74, the signal receiving
mechanism 20 would be activated in order to read the signals 22 emitted
from the signal emitting mechanism 14 on the items 12. After the door 74
is closed, again the signal receiving mechanism 20 would receive signals
22 from the signal emitting mechanism 14 on the items 12 in order to
determine what items 12 have been taken from the receptacle 18.

[0040] As discussed above, the securement system ensures that a user would
need to gain authorization from the control containment unit 10 in order
to gain access to one or more of the receptacles 18 behind the door 74.
Users could be grouped in access levels or authorization levels. In order
to further enhance security, the doors 74 may have an automatic closing
device, which would shut and open a door 74 after a certain period of
time elapses. In addition, the doors 74 could have an urging mechanism,
which would simply urge the door 74 in a closed position when released.
In this embodiment, it is the door 74 that would have an associated lock
mechanism 62, for preventing access, as opposed to each individual drawer
26 described above in connection with the previous embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates this preferred embodiment with one of the doors
74 removed, as well as a door 74 covering the controller 24 also removed.
In this embodiment, and due to the number of signal receiving mechanisms
20 (or antennas 30), multiple multiplexor mechanisms 34 could be
utilized. For example, for each row or column of receptacles 18 or groups
of receptacles 18, a single multiplexor mechanism 34 could be used. This
would increase the speed and control of signal 22 and information
processing. If multiple multiplexor mechanisms 34 are used, each of these
multiplexor mechanisms 34 would be in communication with a main or
central multiplexor mechanism 34, which would operate as described
hereinabove in connection with the previous embodiment.

[0042] It is also envisioned that the control containment unit 10
described above could take the form of a room. In this case, a user would
need to gain access to the room, and possibly only certain portions of
the room, and would remove items 12 from receptacles 18 (such as
shelving) placed throughout the room. In essence, the room would function
as a giant cabinet or control containment unit 10 described hereinabove.
Obviously, whether in the form of a cabinet or a room, the control
containment unit 10 would preferably have one, and typically multiple,
shielding elements 60 to prevent emanation of signals 22 from exiting the
area.

Example

[0043] The present invention is particularly useful in the field of
medicine, and, in particular, at hospitals. In a hospital application,
the items 12 are typically medical items, such as containers of medicine,
medical devices, etc. A specific example of the use of the control
containment unit 10 in connection with a hospital follows.

[0044] Items 12 are received from a distributor or manufacturer at the
hospital's central supply room, with the RF/ID transponder 28, in the
form of a tag or label, already affixed to the item 12, using a set
tag-to-item association scheme. If the item 12 arrives with no RF/ID
transponder 28 attached, hospital employees can affix the RF/ID
transponder 28 themselves and perform the tag-to-item association using
the input mechanism 56 or recognition signal receiver 66 located on the
housing 16. The employee then waves his or her RF/ID badge over the input
mechanism 56 or recognition signal receiver 66, thereby causing the
drawers 26 of the control containment unit 10 to open. The items 12 are
then placed inside the drawers 26 and closed. As soon as the drawers 26
are closed, the controller 24 performs a comparison between the
inventories of the drawer 26 before and after it was opened to determine
who placed what items inside. The inventorying is done automatically by
the central control device 40.

[0045] During operational use, nurses or clinicians wave their RF/ID badge
over the input mechanism 56 or recognition signal receiver 66, thereby
unlocking the control containment unit 10. They may then open the drawers
26 to which they have authorized access and take whatever items 12 they
need. There is no need for nurses or clinicians to keypunch an access
code or press a button to indicate that they have taken an item 12. As
soon as the drawers 26 are closed, items 12 removed from the drawers 26
are automatically associated with the person who just opened the drawer
26. The controller 24 or central control device 40 then subtracts the
items 12 from the inventory.

[0046] During idle periods, the controller 24 performs inventories at set
intervals. If a particular item 12 inventory is below a set par level,
the controller 24 may send a message to the hospital's billing and
purchasing system to purchase more of that particular item 12 over the
network 28.

[0047] In this manner, the present invention provides a control
containment unit 10, such as a cabinet, utilizing RF/ID technologies to
dispense supplies with security and accountability, without the need for
any data entry. The present invention has many advantages over existing
devices and methods for controlling inventory. The first advantage is its
security and accountability features, as compared to current systems. The
controller 24 or controller software not only provide access to a set
group of people, but knows exactly what they have taken. Prior art
paper-based systems typically have minimal or no security involved, or
are difficult to implement. Although prior art solutions provide some
security, the user must "keypunch" in their access code. Also, prior art
solutions do not provide "real" inventory levels, instead providing a
"calculated" virtual inventory level, based upon actions, such as pushing
a button. If the user takes out two items 12, but only pushes the button
for one, there is no way to detect this error. The present invention
performs a "true" inventory of the control containment unit 10.

[0048] Another advantage of the present invention is reduction in errors
involved in performing inventory. With paper-based systems, the
information is only as good as the writer's accuracy. If nurses or
clinicians are busy, the inventory information can often be erroneous. As
mentioned above, the push-button system can also have these errors.

[0049] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the speed to
perform inventory and to place items 12 into inventory. A user can
perform a "true" inventory of all the items 12 in the cabinet in a matter
of seconds, instead of hours using the paper-based system. An item 12 can
be placed into inventory by simply putting it inside the drawers 26.
Since no manual data entry is required, the labor savings can be
tremendous.

[0050] Another advantage is the true real-time and dynamic inventory
capability. The controller 24 or software control system can be set to
perform inventory at regular intervals, down to the second. Another
advantage is that par levels can be maintained with this invention. As
soon as the control containment unit 10 detects a low supply of a certain
item 12 in a drawer 26, alerts or messages can be sent to the hospital
purchasing system or to a system administrator. The present invention
also provides for the auto return of items 12. If a user takes out two
items 12 but only uses one, the item 12 can be put into inventory by
simply placing it back into the drawer 26. There is no data entry
required. The controller 24 automatically detects who returned what item
12 back into which drawer 26.

[0051] This invention has been described with reference to the preferred
embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others
upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is
intended that the invention be construed as including all such
modifications and alterations.